U.S. patent application number 12/066730 was filed with the patent office on 2009-06-04 for apparatus with actives from tissue.
Invention is credited to Patrick Lewis Blott, Bryan Greener, Edward Yerbury Hartwell, Julian Lee-Webb, Derek Nicolini.
Application Number | 20090143753 12/066730 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 35248821 |
Filed Date | 2009-06-04 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090143753 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Blott; Patrick Lewis ; et
al. |
June 4, 2009 |
APPARATUS WITH ACTIVES FROM TISSUE
Abstract
A surgical tool (21) for probing bone tissue includes an
elongate member (30, 30', 30'') coupled to a handle assembly (50).
The handle assembly (50) is electrically coupled to a electrical
signal source (22). The surgical tool (21) includes an electrically
conductive portion (34) in communication with an un-insulated
distal end of the elongate member (30, 30', 30''), and an insulated
portion extending from the tip along the elongate member (30, 30',
30'') and handle assembly (50).
Inventors: |
Blott; Patrick Lewis; (York,
GB) ; Greener; Bryan; (York, GB) ; Hartwell;
Edward Yerbury; (Hull, GB) ; Lee-Webb; Julian;
(York, GB) ; Nicolini; Derek; (Brough,
GB) |
Correspondence
Address: |
KNOBBE MARTENS OLSON & BEAR LLP
2040 MAIN STREET, FOURTEENTH FLOOR
IRVINE
CA
92614
US
|
Family ID: |
35248821 |
Appl. No.: |
12/066730 |
Filed: |
January 31, 2006 |
PCT Filed: |
January 31, 2006 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/US06/03425 |
371 Date: |
October 9, 2008 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
604/315 ; 602/42;
604/289; 604/543 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61B 17/7092 20130101;
A61M 3/0229 20130101; A61M 3/022 20140204; A61P 17/02 20180101;
A61M 1/0084 20130101; A61M 35/30 20190501; A61M 1/0088 20130101;
A61M 1/0058 20130101; A61F 13/00068 20130101; A61B 2017/00022
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
604/315 ; 602/42;
604/543; 604/289 |
International
Class: |
A61M 1/00 20060101
A61M001/00; A61F 13/00 20060101 A61F013/00; A61M 27/00 20060101
A61M027/00; A61M 35/00 20060101 A61M035/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jan 31, 2005 |
US |
11047357 |
Claims
1. According to the present invention there is provided an
apparatus for aspirating, irrigating and/or cleansing wounds,
comprising a) a fluid flowpath, comprising i) a wound dressing,
having a backing layer and at least one inlet pipe for connection
to a fluid supply tube, which passes through and/or under the
backing layer and at least one outlet pipe for connection to a
fluid offtake tube, which passes through and/or under the backing
layer, at least one inlet pipe being connected to a fluid
recirculation tube, and at least one outlet pipe being connected to
a fluid offtake tube; and ii) a means for fluid cleansing having at
least one inlet port connected to a fluid offtake tube and at least
one outlet port connected to a fluid recirculation tube; b) a
device for moving fluid through the wound dressing and means for
fluid cleansing, and optionally or as necessary the fluid supply
tube; e) means for supplying physiologically active agents from
cells or tissue to the wound; and optionally or as necessary means
for bleeding the flowpath, such that fluid may be supplied to fill
the flowpath and supply physiologically active agents from cells or
tissue to the wound and recirculated by the device through the flow
path.
2. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 in which the backing layer is
capable of forming a relatively fluid tight seal or closure over a
wound.
3. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 in which the point at which
the/or each inlet pipe and the/or each outlet pipe passes through
and/or under the backing layer is capable of forming a relatively
fluid-tight seal or closure over the wound.
4. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 in which the wound dressing
is a conformable wound dressing.
5. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 in which the means for
supplying physiologically active agents to the wound comprises a
fluid reservoir containing physiologically active components in
therapeutically active amounts to promote wound healing.
6. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 in which the physiologically
active agent derived from cells or tissues for supplying to the
wound is, or comprises in, the media that the cells or tissue were
bathed or grown in (conditioned media).
7. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 in which the physiologically
active agent for supplying to the wound comprises cells.
8. An apparatus as claimed in claim 6 in which the cells comprise
fibroblasts, keratinocytes or a mixture of fibroblasts and
keratinocytes.
9. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 in which the backing layer is
semi permeable to allow a flow rate of gas through it.
10. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 in which the apparatus
comprises a wound contact layer.
11. An apparatus as claimed in claim 10 in which the wound contact
layer is chosen from the group consisting of gauze, foam, a porous
means, a semi-permeable porous means, an elastic filler or an
inflatable device.
12. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 in which the cells or tissue
are mounted under the backing layer.
13. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 in which the apparatus is
portable.
14. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 which the cells or tissue
are bound on an insoluble and/or immobilised substrate.
15. An apparatus according to claim 1 in which comprises means for
aspiration and irrigation of the wound, such that irrigant fluid
may be supplied to fill the flowpath from the fluid reservoir via
the fluid supply tube while aspirate fluid is aspirated by a device
through the fluid offtake tube.
16. An apparatus according to claim 15 in which the means for
providing aspiration and irrigation of the wound comprises a) a
first device for moving fluid through the wound applied to fluid
downstream of and away from the wound dress, and b) a second device
for moving fluid through the wound applied to the irrigant in the
fluid supply tube upstream of and towards the wound dressing.
17. An apparatus according to claim 16 in which the first device
and/or second device is a fixed throughput device and the means for
providing aspiration and irrigation of the wound also comprises at
least one of: means for supply flow regulation, connected to a
fluid supply tube, and means for aspirate flow regulation,
connected to a fluid offtake tube.
18. An apparatus as claimed in claim 16 in which the irrigant fluid
may be supplied to fill the flowpath from a fluid reservoir via the
fluid supply tube while aspirate fluid is aspirated by a device
through the fluid offtake tube.
19. An apparatus as claimed in claim 15 in which the aspiration and
irrigation of the wound is sequentially or simultaneously
performed.
20. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the device for moving fluid
through the wound is a diaphragm pump or a peristaltic pump.
21. The apparatus of claim 1 in which the flow rate is a varied
flow rate, either randomly or regularly cyclical.
22. The apparatus of claim 21 wherein the regular or random cycles
of flow rate have a frequency of up to 48 per 24 hours.
23. The apparatus of claim 21 wherein the pulses of flow velocity
have a frequency of from 1 to 60 per min.
24. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the device for moving fluid
across the wound enables the fluid flow to be a parallel flow,
radial streaming, spiral streaming, helical streaming, spirohelical
streaming or circular streaming.
25. An apparatus according to claim 15 in which the aspirating
means is also a vacuum means for creating a negative pressure on
the area surrounding the wound.
26. An apparatus according to claim 25 in which the negative
pressure is between about 1.01 and 100.3 kPa (0.01 and 0.99
atmospheres).
27. An apparatus according to claim 1, in which comprises a means
for fluid cleansing that is a single-phase system, in which the
circulating fluid from the wound passes through the means for fluid
cleansing and materials deleterious to wound healing are removed,
without the circulating fluid coming into direct or indirect
contact with another fluid in the means for fluid cleansing.
28. An apparatus according to claim 1, in which comprises a means
for fluid cleansing that is a two-phase system, in which the
circulating fluid from the wound passes through the means for fluid
cleansing and materials deleterious to wound healing are removed,
by the circulating fluid coming into direct or indirect contact
with another fluid in the means for fluid cleansing.
29. An apparatus according to claim 27, in which the means for
fluid cleansing, the circulating fluid from the wound and the other
fluid in the means for fluid cleansing are separated by an integer
which is selectively permeable to materials deleterious to wound
healing.
30. An apparatus according to claim 28, in which the means for
fluid cleansing, the circulating fluid from the wound and the other
fluid in the means for fluid cleansing are separated by an integer
which is not selectively permeable to materials deleterious to
wound healing, and the other fluid comprises and/or is in contact
with a material that removes materials deleterious to wound
healing.
31. An apparatus according to claim 28, in which the material that
removes materials deleterious to wound healing is an antagonist, a
binders and/or degrader, a chelator and/or ion exchanger for such
deleterious materials, or an anti-oxidant.
32. An apparatus according to claim 28, in which the material that
removes materials deleterious to wound healing is
4-(2-aminoethyl)-benzene sulphonyl fluoride (AEBSF, PefaBloc),
N.alpha.-.rho.-tosyl-L-lysine chloromethyl ketone (TLCK),
.epsilon.-aminocaproyl-.rho.-chlorobenzylamide; a cysteine protease
inhibitor; a matrix metalloprotease inhibitor; a carboxyl (acid)
protease inhibitors; anti-inflammatory peptidomimetics;
3-hydroxytramine (dopamine), ascorbic acid (vitamin C), vitamin E;
glutathione; desferrioxamine (DFO) and/or 3-hydroxytyramine
(dopamine).
33. An apparatus according to claim 1, in which the materials
deleterious to wound healing are oxidants; proteases; endotoxins;
autoinducer signalling molecules; inhibitors of angiogenesis;
pro-inflammatory cytokines; and inflammatories.
34. An apparatus according to claim 1 in which administers a
reduced pressure treatment to the wound.
35. A method of treating wounds to promote wound healing using the
apparatus according to claim 1.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] Monitoring of the location of neural elements can reduce the
likelihood of neural damage while accessing structures, such as
bone or muscle, near the nerve. Surgical tools exist which provide
an electrical potential to allow for detection of neural element
proximity by visibly noting a patient's limb motor reaction when
the neural element is stimulated by electrical current. A
refinement of this detection method uses a plurality of electric
signals; location of the neural element is determined by comparing
these electrical signals to a calibration electrode, thereby
eliminating the need for physical monitoring of a patient's
limb.
SUMMARY
[0002] The present apparatus, kit and method provides the surgeon
the ability to probe bone tissue and monitor proximity of neural
elements while enhancing the ability to control and manipulate the
surgical tool during the procedure. The device comprises a surgical
tool for insertion into bone tissue while delivering an electrical
signal to monitor a proximity of neural elements to the inserted
end of the tool.
[0003] In one embodiment, the device includes an elongate member
with an electrically conductive portion and an insertion portion
near its distal end, an insulated surface area between its distal
and proximal ends and a conductive path between the electrically
conductive portion near its distal end and a place near the
proximal end. The device has a handle assembly with continuously
curved surfaces at interfaces with the user's hand at a gripping
portion having a major dimension at least 50% greater than its
minor dimension as measured orthogonally to a longitudinal axis of
the elongate member and orthogonally to one another. The handle
assembly is attached near the proximal end of the elongate member
and has an electrically insulated surface area and an electrically
conductive area internal to the electrically insulated surface
area.
[0004] In another embodiment, the device includes an elongate
member with an electrically conductive portion and an insertion
portion near its distal end, an insulated surface area between its
distal and proximal ends and a conductive path between the
electrically conductive portion near its distal end and a place
near the proximal end. The handle assembly is attached near the
proximal end of the elongate member and has an electrically
insulated surface area and an electrically conductive area internal
to the electrically insulated surface area. The handle assembly has
a gripping portion with a major dimension that is at least 50%
greater than a minor dimension as measured orthogonally to a
longitudinal axis of the elongate member and orthogonally to one
another.
[0005] A further embodiment has an elongate member with an
electrically conductive portion and an insertion portion near its
distal end, an insulated surface area between its distal and
proximal ends and a conductive path between the electrically
conductive portion near its distal end and a place near the
proximal end. The handle assembly is attached near the proximal end
of the elongate member and has an electrically insulated surface
area and an electrically conductive area internal to the
electrically insulated surface area. The device has a handle
assembly with continuously curved surfaces at interfaces with the
user's hand and a major dimension that is at least 50% greater than
a minor dimension as measured orthogonally to a longitudinal axis
of the elongate member and orthogonally to one another.
[0006] An illustrated embodiment includes an elongate member with
an electrically conductive portion and an insertion portion near
its distal end, an insulated surface area between its distal and
proximal ends and a conductive path between the electrically
conductive portion near its distal end and a place near the
proximal end. The elongate member also has a notch near the
proximal end. The handle assembly is attached near the proximal end
of the elongate member and has an electrically insulated surface
area and an electrically conductive area internal to the
electrically insulated surface area. The handle assembly also has
an opening for receiving the proximal portion of the elongate
member in an overlapping arrangement. The surgical tool also has a
locking element rotatable around the elongate member from a
position that retains the elongate member in the handle assembly to
a position that allows removal of the elongate member from the
handle assembly. The locking element can rotate to a position to
engage the notch of the elongate member.
[0007] In another embodiment, the surgical tool has an elongate
member with an electrically conductive portion and an insertion
portion near its distal end, an insulated surface area between its
distal and proximal ends and a conductive path between the
electrically conductive portion near its distal end and a place
near the proximal end. The elongate member also has a notch near
the proximal end. The handle assembly is attached near the proximal
end of the elongate member and has an electrically insulated
surface area and an electrically conductive area internal to the
electrically insulated surface area.
[0008] The handle assembly also has an opening for receiving the
proximal portion of the elongate member in an overlapping
arrangement. The handle assembly further has continuously curved
surfaces at interfaces with the user's hand and a major dimension
that is at least 50% greater than a minor dimension as measured
orthogonally to a longitudinal axis of the elongate member and
orthogonally to one another. The surgical tool also has a locking
element rotatable around the elongate member from a position that
retains the elongate member in the handle assembly to a position
that allows removal of the elongate member from the handle
assembly. The locking element can rotate to a position to engage
the notch of the elongate member.
[0009] In another embodiment, the surgical tool has an elongate
member with an electrically conductive portion and an insertion
portion near its distal end, an insulated surface area between its
distal and proximal ends and a conductive path between the
electrically conductive portion near its distal end and a place
near the proximal end. The elongate member also has a notch near
the proximal end. The handle assembly is attached near the proximal
end of the elongate member and has an electrically insulated
surface area and an electrically conductive area internal to the
electrically insulated surface area.
[0010] The handle assembly also has an opening for receiving the
proximal portion of the elongate member in an overlapping
arrangement. The handle assembly has a major dimension that is at
least 50% greater than a minor dimension as measured orthogonally
to a longitudinal axis of the elongate member and orthogonally to
one another. The surgical tool also has a locking element rotatable
around the elongate member from a position that retains the
elongate member in the handle assembly to a position that allows
removal of the elongate member. The locking element can rotate to a
position to engage the notch of the elongate member from the handle
assembly.
[0011] In another embodiment, the surgical tool has an elongate
member with an electrically conductive portion and a cutting
portion near its distal end, an insulated surface area between its
distal and proximal ends and a conductive path between the
electrically conductive portion near its distal end and a place
near the proximal end. The elongate member also has a notch near
the proximal end. The handle assembly is attached near the proximal
end of the elongate member and has an electrically insulated
surface area and an electrically conductive area internal to the
electrically insulated surface area.
[0012] The handle assembly also has an opening for receiving the
proximal portion of the elongate member in an overlapping
arrangement. The handle assembly further has continuously curved
surfaces at interfaces with the user's hand and a major dimension
that is at least 50% greater than a minor dimension. The surgical
tool also has a locking element rotatable around the elongate
member from a position that retains the elongate member in the
handle assembly to a position that allows removal of the elongate
member from the handle assembly. The locking element can rotate to
a position to engage the notch of the elongate member.
[0013] In one embodiment, the elongate member is a probe member and
the insertion end is a distal tip of the probe member. The probe
member can be configured for use in cervical, thoracic, sacral, or
lumbar spinal procedures, and may include a straight or
non-straight configuration along all or a portion of its
length.
[0014] In an embodiment, when attached, the connection between the
handle assembly and elongate member is secure and entirely
insulated. In another embodiment, the elongate member has an
electrically conductive end portion at the proximal end. The
conductive end portion fits inside an opening in the handle
assembly. This connection allows for the entire electrically
conductive end portion of the elongate member to be electrically
insulated inside the handle assembly while providing an internal
and removable electrical connection to an electrical signal
source.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0015] FIG. 1 is a view of the surgical field with an assembled
perspective view of the surgical tool.
[0016] FIGS. 2A-D show a set of detachable elongate members for use
with the handle assembly in FIG. 3.
[0017] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the handle assembly.
[0018] FIG. 4 is a view from the distal end of the handle
assembly.
[0019] FIG. 5 is a cross-section of the handle assembly through
line 5-5 of FIG. 4.
[0020] FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of the handle assembly
rotated 180 degrees from its FIG. 5 orientation.
[0021] FIG. 7 is section of the handle assembly through line 7-7 of
FIG. 6.
[0022] FIG. 8A is a perspective view of the locking element of the
surgical tool shown in FIG. 1.
[0023] FIG. 8B is a side elevational view of the locking element
shown in FIG. 8A.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS
[0024] While this device is susceptible of embodiment in many
different forms, there is shown in the drawings, and will herein be
described in detail, several specific embodiments, with the
understanding that the present disclosure can be considered as an
exemplification and is not intended to be limited to the
embodiments illustrated.
[0025] The system, method and kit relates to surgical tools and
more particularly to surgical tools used in determining the
proximity of neural elements. The surgical tool includes an
elongate member, such as a probe, and a handle assembly. In one
embodiment, the elongate member is removably engageable to the
handle assembly with a locking element, although embodiments
without a locking element are also contemplated.
[0026] The surgical tool is operable to deliver an electrical
signal, such as a current, to a location in the patient's body to
monitor proximity of neural elements to the inserted end of the
tool. A lead connects the handle assembly to an electrical signal
source, which may comprise a porion of a nerve monitoring system
such as the NIM-Spine.TM. System marketed by Medtronic, Inc. or any
other suitable nerve monitoring system. Another lead can be used to
ground the circuit. The surgical tool, when assembled, is
completely insulated except for the insertion end to prevent
shunting of the electrical signal to adjacent tissue or
instruments.
[0027] FIG. 1 is a view of the surgical field 24 with an assembled
perspective view of the surgical tool 21. A midline incision has
been made in the lumbar region of interest.
[0028] Retractor arms 25 keep the surgical field 24 open
sufficiently to allow the desired use and positioning of the
surgical tool 21. Surgical tool 21 comprises an elongate member 30
and a handle assembly 50. A voltage source 22 is coupled to
surgical tool 21 via a conductive path having a first reference 23
coupled to surgical tool 21 and a second reference 27 coupled to a
patient (not shown). The second reference 27 is a ground, and can
be connected to patient muscle tissue adjacent the surgical field.
The ground can also be established by using a conventional surgical
grounding pad that has been affixed to the patient. Although the
posterior lumbar spinal region is shown for the purpose of
illustration, the surgical tool is not limited in application to a
posterior approach or the lumbar region, as will be appreciated by
those skilled in the art.
[0029] Elongate member 30 is in the form of a probe with a distal
probing end insertable in bone tissue or in a hole in bone tissue
to probe the hole and assist in hole formation.
[0030] FIGS. 2A-D show various embodiments for elongate member 30
capable of being attached to handle assembly 50. Elongate member 30
comprises an exposed or no-insulated electrically conductive
insertion portion 34 extending along a longitudinal axis 38 forming
a probe end 35 adjacent to a distal end 36. An insulated shaft
portion 31 that provides an insulated, conductive path between
distal end 36 and a proximal end 37. An attaching portion 39 near
proximal end 37 includes a proximally extending stem 40 extending
proximally from a barrel portion 41. A first notch 42 and an
opposite second notch 44 are formed in barrel portion 41 to receive
a locking element to couple elongate member 30 to a handle
assembly, as discussed further below.
[0031] FIG. 2A shows a straight elongate member 30 including shaft
portion 31 with an intermediate tapered portion 45. The straight
elongate member 30 has an exposed, non-insulated probe end 35 near
the distal end 36. Probe end 35 can be distally tapered and in a
linear configuration to facilitate placement into the bone tissue.
As shown in FIG. 2B, probe end 35 is flattened in at least one
direction relative to the longitudinal axis 38.
[0032] FIG. 2C shows an embodiment elongate member 30' suited for
use in the lumbar region of the spine. Elongate member 30' had an
insulated shaft portion 31' and includes an exposed probe end 35'
near the distal end 36' that includes a uniform thickness extending
to a rounded or bullet shaped distal tip. Elongate member 30'
further includes a tapered shaft portion 45' that is positioned
more distally than intermediate tapered shaft portion 45 of
elongate member 30. FIG. 2D shows a thoracic elongate member 30''
that includes an insulated shaft portion 31'', a tapered portion
45'', and a distal probe end 35''. Probe end 35'' includes a
distally tapered outer surface profile extending to a rounded or
bullet shaped distal tip. Probe end 35'' includes an angled or
curved configuration so that it extends transversely to
longitudinal axis 38'' of shaft portion 31''. Other forms for the
elongate member are also contemplated, including those with curved
portions.
[0033] With any of these or another embodiment elongate member 30
attached, the surgical tool 21 may be employed to probe bone tissue
and deliver an electrical signal to detect the presence and
proximity of neural elements. The probe end can be employed for
forming, shifting, piercing, stabbing, penetrating, dissecting,
resecting or otherwise perform functions relative to the bone
tissue.
[0034] Elongate member 30 may be made of stainless surgical steel
or other suitable conductive material of sufficient strength.
Elongate member 30 can be constructed from a single piece of
suitable conductive material or could be constructed from more than
one piece of suitable conductive material. Barrel portion 41 and
the remainder of the elongate member 30 could be separate pieces.
The insulated surface area between the distal and proximal ends 37
may be achieved through the use of a coating, e.g. polyamide
coating or through other means, such as an overlaying sleeve of
foam or other material. The insulated surface area ensures the
electrical signal is directed to the target area and is not shunted
to surrounding, unintended, tissue or surgical instruments.
[0035] Handle assembly 50 is shown in FIGS. 3, 4, 5, and 6. Handle
assembly 50 comprises a handle body 54 with an electrically
insulated surface area 51 and an electrically conductive area
internal to handle body 54. Handle body 54 further includes a
distally facing opening 53 in a distally extending neck portion 56.
Neck portion 56 includes a channel 55 that receives a locking
element 57 (FIGS. 1 and 7-8.). An elongate member passage 58
extends axially through at least a portion of handle body 54. A
relaying chamber 62 extends transversely to passage 58 and is sized
and configured to receive an electrical lead 23.
[0036] Body 54 of handle assembly 50 has a major dimension 63 and a
minor dimension 65. The major and minor dimensions 63, 65 are
measured orthogonally to one another and orthogonally to an
extension of longitudinal axis 38 axially through handle body 54
when elongate member 30 is assembled thereto. In one embodiment,
the major dimension is at least 50% greater than the minor
dimension. The proximal end of body 54 includes continuously curved
surfaces at its interface with the user's hand. This enables a user
to have a secure and comfortable grasp on the handle assembly 50.
Furthermore, chamber 62, which receives lead 26, extends along the
major dimension to position lead 26 away from the gripping surfaces
of body 54, preventing lead 26 from interfering with gripping and
control of surgical tool 21. The shape of handle body 54 provides
body 54 with a gripping portion that anatomically accommodates the
hand of the surgeon or other attendant, and facilitates
manipulation and control of surgical tool 21 with handle assembly
50.
[0037] Opening 53 leads into elongate member passage 58, which
extends axially along central axis 67 through the interior of
handle body 54. Elongate member passage 58 has the same
cross-section shape as barrel portion 41 of elongate member 30, and
receives barrel portion 41 when elongate member 30 and handle
assembly 50 are joined together.
[0038] In the present embodiment, opening 53 has an oblong shape so
that elongate member 30 is non-rotatably received in handle body
54.
[0039] When assembled, attaching portion 39 of elongate member 30
occupies opening 53 and extends into elongate member passage 58
such that barrel portion 41 substantially occupies the larger
distal portion 58a of elongate member passage 58. Stem 40 occupies
a smaller portion proximal portion 58b of elongate member passage
58. Notches 42 and 44 are aligned with channel 55 and receive
locking element 57 positioned in channel 55.
[0040] Stem 40 is at least partially un-insulated so that a
conductive area of stem 40 is positioned at the interface between
elongate member passage 58 and relaying chamber 62.
[0041] This allows lead 26 to be electrically coupled to elongate
member 30. The electrical connection between lead 26 and the stem
40 can be maintained by any conventional means known to a person
skilled in the art, such as a spring made of a conductive material.
Such a spring could be mounted in the relaying chamber 62 where it
makes contact with stem 40 of elongate member 30 when elongate
member 30 is assembled and seated in handle assembly 50.
[0042] In the illustrated embodiment, channel 55 opens along the
outside of neck portion 56 and extends approximately three-quarters
of the way around neck portion 56. Channel 55 includes
through-holes 59 and 61, which are located opposite from one
another and open into elongate member passage 58. When handle
assembly 50 is viewed in section as shown in FIG. 5, through-holes
59 and 61 are located within channel 55 on the left and right-hand
sides of neck portion 56, respectively. Channel 55 begins at first
through-hole 59, and extends counterclockwise approximately
one-quarter revolution past second through-hole 61, terminating and
running out into the outer surface of neck portion 56.
[0043] Locking element 57, shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B, is comprised
of a substantially flat, semicircular member having a central
aperture diameter slightly larger than the inner diameter of
channel 55. Locking element 57 includes groove 72 and gripping
surface 70, which facilitates rotation of locking element 57 about
neck portion 56 in channel 55 by the user. Locking element 57 is
adapted to fit within channel 55 and has an outer circumference
extending slightly less than three-quarters of the way around neck
portion 56, and allows gripping surface to project at least
partially from neck portion 56.
[0044] Locking element 57 can be manipulated and rotated within
channel 55 about a small angular displacement on the order of
one-eighth of one rotation. This effectively allows for locking
element 57 to be toggled between two positions, which correspond to
the locked and unlocked configurations relative to handle assembly
50. When locking element 57 is rotated counterclockwise, no portion
of locking element 57 protrudes through through-holes 59 and 61 so
that elongate member passage 58 remains clear and unobstructed by
locking element 57. In this configuration, groove 72 is aligned
with first through-hole 59, and on the other side of channel 55,
the end 74 of locking element 57 is located slightly
counterclockwise of second through-hole 61. This position
corresponds to an unlocked position, which allows removal and
insertion of elongate member 30 relative to handle assembly 50.
Alternatively, when locking element 57 is rotated clockwise as far
as possible, groove 72 is no longer aligned with first through-hole
59, thereby causing a portion of locking element 57 to protrude
through first through-hole 59 and obstruct one side portion of
elongate member passage 58. Additionally, the end 74 of locking
element 57 now protrudes through second through-hole 61,
obstructing the other side portion of elongate member passage 58.
This position of locking element 57 corresponds to the locked
position, where it engages elongate member 30 in handle assembly
50.
[0045] In order to join handle assembly 50 to elongate member 30,
elongate member 30 is inserted through opening 53 and into passage
58 of handle assembly 50 when locking element 57 is in the unlocked
position. If locking element 57 is in the locked position, then
side portions of elongate member passage 58 will be obstructed by
locking element 57, thereby preventing full insertion of elongate
member 30 into handle assembly 50.
[0046] When barrel portion 41 is fully inserted into elongate
member passage 58, the locking element 57 can be rotated so that it
engages elongate member 30. The insulated shaft portion 31 overlaps
with the insulated outer surface area of handle assembly 50,
providing a surgical tool that is entirely insulated proximally of
the un-insulated probe end 35.
[0047] Once the proximal portion of elongate member 30 has been
fully inserted into elongate member passage 58, the proximal stem
41 electrically engages the electrical lead 26 in handle assembly
50. The user may then lock handle assembly 50 to elongate member 30
by rotating locking element 57 to its locked position. As locking
element 57 is rotated from its unlocked position to its locked
position, elongate member 30 is fixed in place within elongate
member passage 58. Portions of locking element 57 protrude through
through-holes 59 and 61 into notches 42 and 44 to secure elongate
member 30 in position relative to handle assembly 50. The user of
surgical tool 21 can use a large amount of force, if necessary, to
manipulate surgical tool 21 in order to penetrate tissue and/or
bone, without undesired movement of the elongate member 30 relative
to handle assembly 51.
[0048] While the invention has been illustrated and described in
detail in the drawings and foregoing description, the same is to be
considered as illustrative and not restrictive in character, and
that all changes and modifications that come within the spirit of
the invention are desired to be protected.
* * * * *